Overview

• Rachel Reeves urged an "ambitious" reciprocal scheme with the EU that would let young people live and work in each other's territories on temporary visas.
• The chancellor asked the Office for Budget Responsibility to include the plan, and wider UK‑EU trade improvements, in its forecasts ahead of the autumn budget.
• Key terms remain under negotiation, with decisions pending on eligibility ages, duration of stay and annual caps, and the government stressing the visas would be time‑limited rather than a right to remain.
• Reeves is preparing a budget constrained by an estimated £30bn shortfall, saying growth measures could reduce the scale of tax rises while ruling out a wealth tax in interviews.
• Opponents in Reform UK and the Conservatives argue the idea risks reviving free movement, while polling cited by supporters shows broad public backing and research suggests a modest GDP gain over time.